What's The Rock Cookin' Now?

The Rock

Wrestler and Movie Star

Mr. Dwayne Johnson aka The Rock retired from professional wrestling completely in 2004 in order to pursue a successful film career. He had begun this career with the WWF in their second-tier league called the United States Wrestling Alliance, in 1996, totaling 8 years of wrestling, with many awards and championships. All this was much more successful than his short time previously in professional football, but it was time to move on with a natural talent for acting.

Johnson's first screen appearance is likely his time on TV's Biography series in 1987. Many TV and Cable appearances connected with his outgoing personality in the world of professional wrestling led to his film career. in 2009 and 2010, his average is 3-4 per year. As a wrestler, he played heroes and villains, but the crowds in the arenas and watching at home made him a man of the people; in short "The People's Champion." Johnson has attended both Democratic and Republican National Conventions, and spoken at the RNC. At the same time, he began giving increasing numbers of talks to audiences ringside, because they liked him and the wrestling profession, and was offered small television roles, followed by larger roles leading up to leading man in the movies. Above all, he seems a good person and a nice guy. Before all that...

Dwayne Johnson was born the son of pro wrestling star Rocky Johnson and grandson on the other side of the family of the Samoan wrestler Chief Peter Maivia. Johnson was the first pro wrestler to carry the sport into the third generation of a family. His uncles were the wrestling Wild Samoans and his cousins wrestled as well. Some rumors in the 1990s placed The Rock as the son of legendary pro wrestling star Flying Don Eagle, but this was incorrect. Don Eagle has always been a favorite of mine, though --

Don Eagle was popular in the "plainer" era of pro wrestling, the kind you watched on Saturday afternoon TV in the local discount stores in the 1960s and 1970s. Some of the stores were sponsors of the wrestling shows and set up a special TV at the snack bar to show the matches..

In the 1980s, I knew a couple of fellows that participated in professional wrestling locally for a time, until they decided to become auto mechanics -- It was safer, they felt. My father kept a biographical book about the major wrestling stars of the 1940s and 1950s, including many attractive men and women. I recall a photo of the wrestler Gorgeous George, and realized that Nature Boy Rick Flair is a similar character. Later, I discovered that Gorgeous George owned a miniature golf course (see link) and that many of the wrestling stars had other businesses or were involved in charities.

Movie stardom might be safer than wrestling for The Rock as well, if he is not harmed in the future by doing his own stunts or mobbed and trampled by growing number of fans - or even stalkers, as some stars suffer. As his mentor, Bret Hart, The Hitman, helped The Rock toward success in his early years of wrestling and Bret nearly died from various ring injuries. Bret's brother Owen did die in a staged ring stunt. Thus, acting truly may be the better, longer-lasting choice for Dwayne. Bret Hart's autobiography Hitman: My Real Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling is a tremendous read. His tough training even as a teenager up in Canada continued through his wrestling career and he survived seemingly impossible injuries. Surviving a serious stroke, he went on to act in television and films as well, also participating in charity work.

The Rock has appeared in televised wrestling bouts, interviews, Saturday Night Live, and other TV productions since as early as 1987. His acting credentials picked up some momentum beyond WWF and WWE ring time with roles such as the character The Champion, a gladiator, in Star Trek: Voyager® in 2000 and as a mugger in the film Longshot in the same year. Success built to The Mummy Returns, The Scorpion King, and The Scorpion King:Rise of the Akkadian (animation). Dwayne ended wrestling in 2004 and concentrated on acting.

Marriage

Dwayne Johnson married a woman he met in college and dated 1990 to 1997 - Dany Garcia, a former Merril-Lynch executive financial planner. The wedding was on May 3, 1997 and the marriage lasted another 10 years until June 2007. However, they have a daughter, Simone Alexandra Johnson, born in 2001. They also serve together on the Board of Directors of The Rock Foundation (see below).

People Magazine reported the breakup in 2007 with this quote from Dwayne Johnson:

We've been fortunate enough to spend the last 17 years together as a couple and look forward to spending the rest our lives together as best friends and business partners. -- Quotation credit.

No information is currently avialable on romatic attachments at this time.

Dwayne Johnson

Other Matters and Interests

in 2009, Dwayne Johnson became the new face of the Novo Nordisk company's Diabetes Aware campaign that promotes healthy families by urging them toward a more healthy lifestyle. At-risk youth and minorities are more likely to be at risk for diabetes and other conditions and Johnson;s background in physiology leads him to help in these areas.

At one point in the late 1990s in Central Ohio, The Rock was rumored to become the new face of the Inner City Games, an event that started in Los Angeles and spread to several major metropolitan areas in America. Since 2002, Arnold Swartzennegger has been the National Chairmain of these encouraging Olympic-style youth games that help supply sports experiences all year long to at-risk youth. While the games seemed to decline in Columbus, they remain a giant event in other cities.

In 2006, Johnson started The Rock Foundation non-profit company. From 2006 - 2007, it dedicated efforts to The Rock's Toy Chest, enhancing the recovery of children hospitalized for a range of medical conditions. In 2008, the foundation shifted to youth physical fitness and global education, but in 2009, it began to tightly focus on physical fitness and health education. These are important elements of life in America today that need attention.

Rock Links

The Rock - Memory Alpha, the Star Trek WikiDwayne "The Rock" Johnson (born 2 May 1972) portrayed the Pendari Champion in the Star Trek: Voyager episode "Tsunkatse". Acquiring fame for his accolades as a professional wrestler with World Wrestling Entertainment, he has since retired fro

Comments

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Rimzim

7 years agofrom Earth

The Rock is back :)

The true " Peoples Champion "

Lady_Tenaz

8 years ago

I love the Rock! He is soooo hot. Thanks for sharing.

shameemloves

8 years ago

"Just bring it" i likes his quotes

berrnard

9 years ago

THEROCK IS COOL

AUTHOR

Patty Inglish MS

9 years agofrom USA and Asgardia, the First Space Nation

Yes, he comes across as a really nice person and a lot of fun.

Smackdown Vs Raw

9 years agofrom Orlando, Florida

The Rock is the man. Every time I see him on a show, I'm reminded that he seems like a genuinely great (and fun) person.

benny Faye Douglass

10 years agofrom Gold Canyon, Arizona

I love the Rock, thanks for interesting facts. creativeone59

AUTHOR

Patty Inglish MS

10 years agofrom USA and Asgardia, the First Space Nation

Thanks for all the comments! I learned more about the rigors and dangers of professional wrestling when I read "Hitman." While some of the matches may be choreographed to an extent, the actual training and particiation are rougher and more difficult that many people imagine, I think. Many of the wrestlers are involved in charitable organizations, exscpecially for youth and this is great.

He has lots of movies coming out soon, and I hope they're successful.

Sandy Mertens

10 years agofrom Wisconsin, USA

I actually think he is a good actor.

Clara Ghomes

10 years ago

nice hub dude. Giving valuable information about personalities in wrestling field. I like it. Good keep it up.

Nancy Hinchliff

10 years agofrom Essex Junction, Vermont

Patty,

I'm actually not a big Rock fan, but this was really interesting. I especially liked the videos. Thanks.

Frieda Babbley

10 years agofrom Saint Louis, MO

Awesome, Patty. This is so thorough. Enjoyed the read very much and the videos were excellent choices. He is a natural, isn't he.

dohn121

10 years agofrom Hudson Valley, New York

I actually didn't like Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson until recently, when I began reading up about him and learning more of the difficult life of a professional wrestler. Many don't realize just how many injuries (just like you made mention of with Brett Hart) a professional sustains through the course of their grueling careers, which sees them working 300+ days a year, traveling from city to city to dozens of different venues. In addition, due to the fact that professional wrestling is an entertainment venue, not a sports venue per se. I really enjoyed reading about The Rock here, Patty. Thank you!

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